Looking the other way

As we’re left to wonder what, if anything, UTSA football coach Larry Coker knew about the alleged shenanigans of former University of Miami booster/convicted swindler Nevin Shapiro, here’s a fascinating look, via the L.A. Times, at how even the most moral among us can lose their way.

Most would rate former UCLA men’s basketball coach John Wooden among the most virtuous and influential coaches in history. Yet not even he appears to have been immune to the perils of collegiate boosters, or the temptation to turn a blind eye toward the benefits they bring to a program.

It’s important to note that the NCAA never found any wrong-doing with Wooden’s program, specifically those linked infamous Bruins booster Sam “Papa Sam” Gilbert. Indeed, for unexplained reasons the NCAA dropped an investigation in midstream.

But as Times staffers Mike Littwin and Alan Greenberg opined following a lengthy investigation of their own, which uncovered illegalities similar to what Shapiro is claiming (minus the sex-soaked stripper parties): “Wooden knew about Gilbert. Maybe he knew more. He should have known much more. If he didn’t, it was only because he apparently chose not to look.”